How to Choose a Yixing Teapot

OolongDragon.com

OolongDragon.com

i. Size

Size
1 2 3 4

Approx. Volume Persons To Be Served

70 ml./2.4 fl.oz 100 ml / 3.4 fl.oz 175 ml / 6 fl.oz. 225 ml / 7.6 fl.oz. Max 2 persons Max 4 persons Max 5 persons Max 6 persons

Determine how many persons you will be serving tea so that you can get the right size. The table above is the best guide.

OolongDragon.com

ii. Shape

Taiwan Oolong (High Profile)

Green/White Tea (High Profile)

Tie Guan Yin (Low Profile)

Chinese Black Tea (High Profile)

Da Hong Pao & Phoenix (Low Profile)

Decorative (Low Profile)

OolongDragon.com

iii. Body

Sphere-shaped pots are most efficient for convection and infusion.

OolongDragon.com

iii. Body

Flat pots, despite their round bottoms, are best for short infusion time when using plenty of tea leaves.

OolongDragon.com

Tall ones, especially those that are rectangular in shape, are best when the pots body is thick and heat resistant.

iii. Body

OolongDragon.com

iii. Body

Tubular ones are less effective for convection. The best ones are designs that have thicker material in the bottom and thinner top for maximum infusion.

OolongDragon.com

iv. Handle

A good one would have easy but firm hold and good balance when you lift the pot. The wrist should be able to comfortably tilt the pot when pouring.

OolongDragon.com

iv. Handle

The spout should be perfectly aligned to form the main axis of the pot.

OolongDragon.com

v. Lid and Neck

It is standard to expect for it not to fall off when the pot is tilted at 45. The lid must also be close-fitting with the opening.

OolongDragon.com

v. Lid and Neck

Small openings are ideal for brewing fragrant teas. The neck reduces the water exposed to air to reduce loss of heat.

OolongDragon.com

vi. Spouts

The spout must be big enough to pour the tea easily to avoid constriction and results in shorter brewing time.

OolongDragon.com

vi. Spouts

Single Hole Spout

Mesh Style

Half-Ball Mesh

Popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasty.

The end of Qing dynasty, has 6 or more holes.

For export to Japan in the 1970s. Filters tea leaves efficiently.

vii. Manufacturing

OolongDragon.com

Molded by hand and uses tools like wood picks & paddles.

Molded by machine and assembled by hand.

Mass produced using premolded parts with a machine.

Handmade

Semi-handmade

Moulded Teapots

viii. Clay

OolongDragon.com

Earth Clay
Makes 2nd grade quality, affordable pots. Natural color is white.

Zisha Clay
Purple Clay. Original or natural clay. This is a superior type.

ix. Clay Composition

OolongDragon.com

Mixed (Pingni). May be a combination of Yixing, nonYixing and artificial clays.

ix. Clay Composition

OolongDragon.com

Zisha Clay. (Sometimes called Qing Shui Ni) when not mixed with other types of clay or has color.

ix. Clay Composition

OolongDragon.com

Artificial (Coloured clay). Can also be mixed with other clays.

x. Clay Color

OolongDragon.com

Zisha clay is often mixed, resulting in many different colors. Adding dyes to Artificial clays often replicate real colors of Zisha but these will fade in time.

xi. Zisha Clay Colors

OolongDragon.com

Zhini (Purple)

Hogni (Red)

xi. Zisha Clay Colors

OolongDragon.com

Duani (Yellow)

xi. Zisha Clay Colors

OolongDragon.com

Heini/Wuni (Black)

Zhuni is a rare Zisha red clay. These are rare and expensive teapots.

OolongDragon.com

xii. Firing Type

Teapots from absorbent clay are low-fired and are made thicker to retain heat longer which works best for Black Tea and Pu-Erh Tea.

OolongDragon.com

xii. Firing Types

They are usually brown in color and used for less fragrant teas.

OolongDragon.com

xii. Firing Types

High-fired teapots use finer, thinner clay and will lose heat faster, preventing over infusion. They are best for Green, White and Oolong Teas.

OolongDragon.com

xii. Firing Types

They are usually red in color, are less permeable and retains fragrance.

for more Yixing Teapot Facts.

OolongDragon.com